Dog Toys: Do’s & Don’ts

The best dog toy is that which is not harmful to the dog, but affords him hours of fun.  Let’s look at some do’s and don’ts when purchasing a dog toy. Depending on the breed, some dogs prefer a particular toy over others.  In fact, while it may not be a toy at all, some dogs may become attached to an inanimate object much like a child will hang on to a security blanket. Generally, however, dogs love toys that squeak.  Doesn’t matter what shape or color it is, as long as it squeaks,... [Read more]

3 Major Health Problems in Cats

Having a cat to share your life with can be a rewarding experience. This furry family member can often be aloof, but he needs your love and care to thrive. In order to protect the health of your pets, it is important that you become familiar with common feline health problems. By knowing what to watch for in your cat, you will be able to keep him healthy and happy throughout his life. Heartworm Heartworm is one of the most common and well-known health problems that your cat may encounter. Heartworm is... [Read more]

Feline Leukemia Symptoms

I lost my beautiful black and white long hair cat, Fluffy, to feline leukemia (FeLV) when I was in college. I spent hundreds of dollars on her treatment and it was a very emotional and traumatic experience to watch her die of this disease.  Feline Leukemia is responsible for more deaths among cats than any other infectious disease. There are vaccinations for FeLV, but they are not 100-percent effective, so it is important to know the signs of infection. Back when Fluffy died of FeLV there were not yet... [Read more]

Tips for Traveling with Pets

Nothing is quite as fun as packing up and going on a trip. A change of scenery is something that is important to recharge your battery from time to time. This is true for your pets as well. Pets love to travel and expose new places just like you do.  So consider taking your pet with you. There are a few things that you need to do to make the trip with your pets as comfortable for them as they do with you.   Tip One   Make sure that you take items that your pet is fond of with you on the trip. There... [Read more]

The Importance of Spaying & Neutering Your Dog

What is the importance of spaying and neutering your dog?  According to the Humane Society, approximately three millions dogs or more are euthanized each year.  Remanded to shelters because they have been abandoned or because their owners can no longer care for them, the over-population of dogs in animal shelters has reached major proportions.  While the aforementioned statistic is hard to imagine, it is nonetheless true.  This is why animal advocates constantly remind the general population to have... [Read more]

Puppy, kitten doesn’t make good gift on Christmas Day

I had planned to write a post on the topic of giving your children a puppy or kitten as a Christmas present, then I read this article written by the Aiken SPCA that covered it all.  Enjoy. Happy Holidays! The calls have already begun coming in. “I want to get my kids a puppy for Christmas. Can you hold it until Christmas Eve?” We certainly understand that kids love puppies and kittens, and many would be very happy to see one as a member of the family on Christmas morning. However, if you take... [Read more]

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Your Puppy

When you have pets that live both indoors and outdoors, you run the risk of fleas.  Fleas not only attack your pets, but also the other people living in the house.  Here are a few ways to rid your puppy and yourself of this miniscule menace. Fleas are a fact of life for animals.  Your puppy will get them if he ever goes outdoors.  Fleas are small, so they can jump from puppy to another surface like the couch and then to you.   Fleas bite – hard.  For most puppies, the bites are irritating and... [Read more]

Tips to Make Dog Nail Trimming Easier

The one thing dogs are most afraid of and bothered by is nail trimming.  It can be a daunting task for any dog owner.  Here are some tips to make dog nail trimming easier for you and the dog. A dog’s nails should be trimmed at least once a month.  Before trimming a dog’s nails, it is necessary to have the proper implement.  Check your local pet supply store for more information. To clip the nails, it is important to just cut the very tip of the nail and not go too far down the nail.  This... [Read more]

Rise in Family Pets Entering Animal Shelters

I read a troubling article in my local newspaper siting statistics about the rise in animal shelter populations as a result of the economic downturn.  Both of my cats , Bingo & Chloe, are shelter kitties that we rescued, and they have been wonderful companions. We love them dearly. So I have a soft spot in my heart for the plight of animal shelters and their inhabitants. The article indicates that our local Humane Society shelter (Indiana) is at full capacity, seeing a 59% increase in surrendered... [Read more]

Traveling with Your Dog – Six Tips for Success

Nothing is quite as fun as packing up and heading out of town for a weekend or a longer trip. A change of scenery from time to time is important to recharge your battery. This is true for your dog as well. Most dogs love to travel and to be exposed to new places just like you do. But there are a few things that you need to do to make the trip a positive experience for everyone. TIP ONE Make sure that you take with you items that your dog is fond of on the trip. Being ripped away from their routine and... [Read more]

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